25 Facts About Airlangga

Airlangga gradually gained support, won back the kingdom once ruled by his uncle, and went on to become one of Java's most notable kings.

Airlangga means "jumping water", thus his name means "he who crossed the water", described his life story; born in the court of Bali and during his youth crossed the Bali Strait to stay in Java and later ruled the kingdom in East Java.

Airlangga was born from a dynastic marriage between Ishana of Java and Warmadewa of Bali.

Airlangga's mother, queen Mahendradatta, was a princess of the Ishana dynasty, the sister of King Dharmawangsa of Mataram, while his father, King Udayana Warmadewa of Bali, was a king of the Balinese Warmadewa Dynasty.

Bali in the 11th century probably was an ally or vassal of Java, the marriage of Airlangga's parents was probably meant as a political means to seal Bali as part of Mataram's realm.

Airlangga has two younger brothers, Marakata and Anak Wungcu.

Later, in various inscriptions created by Airlangga, he claimed to be the descendant of Mpu Sindok of the Ishana dynasty.

Airlangga was born and grew up in Bali, groomed by his mother, queen Mahendradatta, to be a proper future ruler.

Airlangga was betrothed to his cousin, one of Dharmawangsa's daughters, thus arranged marriage was in place.

Only the young Airlangga, who was aged about 16 at the time, managed to escape unharmed.

Airlangga, accompanied by his guard Narottama, escaped westward into the jungle and retreated as a hermit in Vanagiri.

In 1019, after several years in self-imposed exile in a Mount Vanagiri hermitage, Airlangga rallied support from officials and regents that are loyal to the former Ishana dynasty and began to unite the areas that had formerly been ruled by the Mataram kingdom, which had disintegrated after Dharmawangsa's death.

Airlangga consolidated his authority, established a new kingdom, and made peace with Srivijaya.

In 1025, Airlangga increased the power and influence of Kahuripan as the Srivijaya Empire began to decline.

Airlangga was known for his religious tolerance and was a patron of both the Hindu and Buddhist religions.

In 1035 Airlangga constructed a Buddhist monastery named Srivijayasrama dedicated to his queen consort Dharmaprasadottungadewi.

Airlangga had taken refuge in East Java after her father was taken prisoner and her kingdom was raided through series of Indian Chola raids.

Airlangga went further, naming his daughter from queen Dharmaprasadottungadewi as heiress, the future queen regnant of Kahuripan.

The tale of Airlangga's life was illustrated in the Belahan Temple on the flanks of Mount Penanggungan, where he was portrayed in stone as Vishnu on Garuda.

Airlangga embarked on a grand irrigation project by constructing the Wringin Sapta dam.

Towards the end of his life, Airlangga was faced with the problem of succession.

In 1045, Airlangga divided Kahuripan into two kingdoms which were inherited by his two sons; Janggala and Kediri.

Airlangga himself abdicated the throne in 1045 and returned to the hermit life by assuming a new name as Resi Aji Paduka Mpungku Sang Pinaka Catraning Bhuwana, bestowed by Mpu Bharada, a famous hermit.

Some suggested that it was meant to avoid civil war since both of Airlangga's sons were equally rightful to the throne.

Airlangga died in 1049, and his ashes were probably scattered in Belahan tirtha, on the eastern slopes of Mount Penanggungan, wherein one of the waterspout statues he was portrayed as Vishnu riding Garuda, flanked by statues of two goddesses; Shri and Lakshmi portrayed the two queen consorts of Airlangga.